An original segment of the Eiffel Tower’s spiral staircase is set to go under the hammer on May 21, in an auction organised by Artcurial in France. This striking piece, standing 9 feet tall and boasting a diameter of 5.7 feet, served as a vital link between the tower’s second and third floors before its removal in 1983.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/eiffel-tower-stockphoto-033126-29b8bfec5f1e4bc7a247a554f7396520.jpg)
The staircase section is estimated to fetch between £36,000 and £46,000 during the auction, reflecting its historical significance and connection to the iconic structure. The piece dates back to 1889, the same year the Eiffel Tower was unveiled to the world, with its construction overseen by the renowned French engineer Gustave Eiffel.
The auctioned staircase is one of many fragments that have made their way across the globe. From locations as diverse as Pennsylvania and Japan, pieces of the tower’s original staircases have been collected and preserved by various institutions and private owners. Notably, a section of the spiral staircase remains on the Eiffel Tower’s first floor, along with others that are displayed in prestigious venues such as the Musée d’Orsay and La Villette in Paris.
In a rather intriguing twist, the seller of this latest piece has chosen to remain anonymous. Having acquired it from a previous auction back in 2013, the owner has cherished the item for four decades. However, circumstances have prompted him to part with this remarkable slice of history. According to Sabrina Dolla, Artcurial’s specialist in Art Deco, the seller “has enjoyed it long enough” and is now ready for a new chapter in life.
The Eiffel Tower itself was initially intended to be a temporary structure, designed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world’s fair held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Its original lifespan was projected at just 21 years, but the tower has since become an enduring symbol of France, drawing millions of visitors annually.
Interestingly, in 1983, the original spiral staircases were divided into 24 sections to facilitate the installation of elevators, which significantly altered how visitors ascend the monument. This decision marked a significant transformation in the tower’s accessibility, yet it also led to the removal of a key historical feature.
The upcoming auction represents the fifth time that Artcurial has sold sections of the Eiffel Tower’s staircase since 2013, highlighting a growing interest in memorabilia associated with this architectural marvel. Each piece carries with it not just numerical value but also a rich history tied to one of the most beloved landmarks in the world.
As the auction date approaches, enthusiasts and collectors alike are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting event, with potential bidders eager to own a part of this iconic structure. The global fascination with the Eiffel Tower only serves to enhance the desirability of such memorable artefacts, ensuring that they continue to captivate the public’s imagination.
For those longing to possess a tangible connection to one of the most photographed structures on the planet, this auction presents a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of history. The fragment up for bids stands as a testament to both engineering brilliance and the cultural significance of the Eiffel Tower, now a beloved symbol of Paris and a homage to its inventor.